AFC Bournemouth & Newcastle United team news as six ruled out - one doubt

Eddie Howe will be forced to make changes to his Newcastle United starting XI for this afternoon’s Premier League clash away to AFC Bournemouth.

The Magpies lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League on Thursday night, meaning they’ve had just two full days to prepare for the visit to the Vitality Stadium.

Howe is having to manage his squad carefully amid the busy fixture schedule.

Newcastle United team news vs AFC Bournemouth - four out, two doubts

Newcastle will be without four senior players for their visit to the South Coast, with Fabian Schar and Anthony Gordon dropping out of the matchday squad from the Barcelona game.

Schar took a heavy bang to the head after blocking a powerful shot from Marcus Rashford, who went on to score twice before Gordon pulled one back for the Magpies late on.

The former Switzerland international initially played on before being replaced by Malick Thiaw in the 63rd minute. Schar has since confirmed on social media that he’ll miss the next “few” matches.

Gordon, meanwhile, is eligible as he serves the final match of his Premier League suspension.

That will likely see £69million club-record signing Nick Woltemade restored to the starting XI after dropping out versus Barca, Yoane Wissa ruled out until after the October international break alongside midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

Howe said: “We're going to have to look after Nick, as I said. It's hard enough for him to come into a new league - and you could see the physical effects he felt with Wolves and then the quick turn-around again here.

“There's no guarantee even by managing him that he's going to stay fit and play all the games, but we're going to try to give him the best chance to stay fit and also acclimatise to the league that he's in.

“But he's made a very good start. He did well when he came on today, I was really pleased with him. He was involved in the goal, so he'll hopefully be in a good place.

AFC Bournemouth team news vs Newcastle United -

Bournemouth will be without Enes Unal and Adam Smith but will be boosted by the availability of midfielder Ryan Christie and defender Bafode Diakite.

"We will recover Ryan Christie, he is training well with no problems,” said manager Andoni Iraola. "Bafo is also training, I wouldn't say 100%, but I also expect him to be available for the game.

“Enes Unal and Adam Smith “We have training tomorrow, and two days to go until the game, so you never know what is going to happen."

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola praises Newcastle United

Speaking ahead of the game, Iraola was full of praise for Eddie Howe’s side.

"They have been very good. They probably deserve more points than they have," said the Spaniard. “Defensively, they are not conceding a lot, and they have been really solid. They perhaps have not been scoring in the way they usually score, but they signed a good number nine, which is an important weapon. We know we will have to be very good to win.

"We will have to be even better than we have been in the last couple of games. They have strengthened the team and have new threats."

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